Automatic self-closing valve



. 1,629,637 May o. A. PRICE AUTOMATIC SELF CLOSING VALVE 'Filed June 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Fml.

FIG]

Q IN VE'NIOR OWEN ALFRED PRI E .BYWM m ATTORNEYS.

May 24. 1927.

CL l\. FWQ|IE AUTOIATIC SELF CLOSING VALVE Filed June 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet He. 5. IQ\FEKZZPVIWJII OWEN ALFRED PRICE W I [r6 ATTORNF s,

May 24, 1927. 1,629,637

0. A. PRICE AUTOMATIC SELF CLOSING VALVE Filed June 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR owsn ALFRED PRICE Patented May 24,1927.

UNITED sra OWEN Amara) PRICE, QF KIL ARNOQK, scoT'LAN D,

"AUTOMATIC semi-CLOSIN VALVE. f

Application filed June 26,1926, Serial No. 118,852, ma q e Britain lune 27, 192th j ,j'

This invention relates l to an automatic selfclosing valve-to serve inter alia as an accident valvein a water main or in a water power penstock as a precaution against pipe bursts, or in any hydraulicsystein where au-r such a v ive which olie'rs the minimum resistance' to the'norinal flow and whichwill close with certainty on change of the couditions of flowwvithout dependence on the operation of paddles, trip gear or actuating Weights-,pron the opening ofcoclts to hydraulic cylinders or onv any mechanical movements, eliminating risk of failure to function due to sticking or breaking of niechanical parts or to errors oi adjustment a risk which must be reckoned'with in view of the extreme rarity of the occasions on which operation of the valve is requiredand, of the impossibility of testing-it under such 'conditions as arise during an accident. 7 I

A further object is t0 provile dash-pot cushion of such-flexibility and "power-that slow closing, occupying several.minutesrfor example, or relatively quick closing may be effected accordi-ng'to circumstances; In the acconipanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section illustrating diagrammath quired' stream velocity, there is provided a pair of counterweights' 16 carried externally ofthevalve chest at the free ends o'l"a pair oflevers 17 secured to a spindle 1 8 which is journalled in the chest section t and-which cally an automatic self-closing valve accord ing to the invention; Fig. 2 s a fragmentary section on the llIlG'II-II of 1-;

Figs. 3 aud t aresections to asm'aller scale,

showing modified constructions of the valve roner; Fi x5 is a Dart elevation art sec-, L y D c tion. showing 'a valve eduippedwvith means for adjust ng the pressure actingon oneside of the balancing piston; Figs ();-'T' and 8 are detail views showing ditl'erentiorms of pressu're adjustingiineans; vFig. 9-

a section showing a" double-ended Valve for automatic self-closing in both directions of flow. Fig, 10 I is a V fragmentary vertical 'sectionalgview of a modification. V i f shown, the valveproper-is constituted as a plunger 11 which is slidable within' a stationary structure comprising'annuli 2, 3, 1 cast integral, respectively, with the 'sections 4, 5of tl1e valve chestyand an annulus 6 in;

'terposed between the annuli 2; Sand coaxial therewith. The plunger 1 and annular" structure 2, 3, 6 present a stream-lined'body interposed in the'j'conducting channel 1' m n r diately in advance of a throat 8 orzo neof less crossssectional area than the main chairnel'. As will be understood when fiowtakes place, the back of the plunger. 1 is subject to the full pressure in the main T'aIid the front oi the" plunger is'subject mule lower pres sure in the throat 8. i

'l he front ot the plunger 1 titted with a ring 9 in axial registerwith' a seat ring 10 titted to the sectionb' of the valve 'chest.

Integral with the-plunger I is a balancing piston 11 slidable within the annulusb V anddividing the annular space between the The several-areas of the plunger ends and balancing pistons areso proportioned that the total fluid pressure tending :to close the valve is greater than the total fluidpressure tending to open it,-thatis, the sum of the forces actingjon the back of the plunger 1 and outhe back of the piston'll is greater than the sum, of the forcesactingson the l rontpoif the plungerfl and on the front of the piston 11; the plunger being supported 'approximately"in equilibrium by these 0p posing'forces. I 1 a To. hold the plunger 1 stable for any-reis connected to 'thebac'k'of the plunger l by cranks 19 and links '20, the counterweights ooh 16 being adjustable to balance ,the closing effortat the particular velocity desired.

"llie' arrangement of the pistonl1 in thev structure 2, 3. 6 provides a'dash-pot' serving to; cushion the-closing movement of the plunger-1; so that the possibilityof too rapi closureiot' the valve is precluded. 1 a y crank 22' and adjustable link 23-300 either lever 171s adapted to constrict the 'pas'sage 'A' throttle'nieniber 21 connected afi orded by the pipe 15 asthe plunger 1 moves towards closing position whereby to 7 increase gradually the cushion ng 'efi'ect.

Located in the pipes I l-and 15, respec tivel'y, are'exhaust valves 24 and'25; by Ina-. "njip'ul'ation ofwhic'h the main valve niaybe controlled. Each".valve or 25 1; adapted to seat on either of two seats 26 or 27, the

7. lVith this arrangement, by lifting the valve from the seat 26 water under pressure in the compartn'ient 13 is released to exhaust whereupon the main'valve. closes. The main valve may be rc-opened by restoring the valve on to engagement with its seat 26 and lifting the valve 2 from its seat 26. 28 denotes the usual valve bypass.

The pipe 14 maybe connected, to the valve chest upstream of the seat ring 10, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. ment as the column of water in the main 7 is brought'to rest, due to the closing of the Valve, the pressures on the two sides of the balancing piston 11 and on the back of the plunger approach the static pressure due to the head of water upstream oi? the valve. that is. theyarious pressures are equalizing, and, at the instant of closure. the net closing force is that due to the static pressure acting on an area equalto that enclosed within theseat ring 10. This powertul closing three, is, of course. built up very gradually and only comes into action at the last moment to force the valve on its seat.

Alternatively, the pipe 14-. may be connected to the valve chest downstream of the seat ring 10, as shown in Fig. 10. lVith this arrangement the compartment never subject to the static pressure on the up stream side of the ring 10 either during or after closure. llheretore there is always considerably more retardation in closing with this than with the previous arrange ment. 'In cases. therefore, where very high head exists. and undesirably rapidclosing islikely to result, the pipe 1 1 is connected to the valve chest desirably on the down stream side of the ring 10. j r

' In the modified construction shown in Fig. 3 the back end ot the. plunger 1 is of smaller diameter than thetront end such a construction being suitable for installation I in a main in which the normal stream velocity is high and consequently the reaction pressure on the back of the plunger otconsiderable magnitude. v

The modified construction of valveshown in Fig. 4 is suitable. for installation in a main in which the normal streamveloc ity is low. the back end of the plunger 1 being of greater diameter than the front end.

In a valve installed ina water main or penstock in which the normal stream velocity isliable to alteration, )rovision may be made for maintenance in the compartments 12, 13 of pressures which are predetermined functions of the differential pressure between the main and throat. \Vith such provision the piston llispreferably of relatively large diameter.

As shown in Fig. 5, a receiver SO'is interposed in a bypass connection 31 between "themain channel and the throat, taking the place ofthe pipe 1 1;. or" the pipe The receiver 30 is titted with an inlet nozzle 32 In the form shown in Fig.7 the nozzles,

52. 53 are mutually adjustable by'means of V a single adjustable obturator member In the form shown in Fig.8 the nozzles 62, 03 are long a. :ially, the inlet nozzle62 projecting within the outlet nozzle 63 so that the pressure set up in the receiver 60 and chamber 12 is lower than the pressure in the main and throat. The nozzles 62.- 63

may be selected 'from sets of interchangeable nozzles orv may be adjustable by means or an obturator nember or obturator members.

l or the purpose of explaining the operation 01 the arrangements shown in Figs. 5 to 8. let us suppose that a valve 33 throat is working one penstocl with a water velocity of 15 1eet per-second. The ditlerential pressure will be about j per square inch and with a plunger are'aot say. 1000 square inches the closin I t; be 2500 lbs. When balancing this about 300 lbs. could be left to the counterweightand 2200 lbs. could be balanced hydraulically.

It now the velocity is increased to 25 feet per second. the differential pressure becomes increased to about 7 lbs. per square inch. Theclosing t'orce isnow7000 lbs. of whichwith the same valve 5150 lbs. is now balanced hydraulically andSfiOlbs. must be 'resisted by the counterweight. This might'be an inconveniently heavy weight.

lVith the use ot' the pressure stepping (le v ce shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the counterweight may it.desiredst1ll be 350 lbs. and the *ith I force may balancing chamber pressures controlleiil by meansot the orifices so that 61 00 lbs. is-carried hydraulically and 800 lbs. remains to be balanced by the counterweight. This could be done by making the balancing piston larger in the lirstinstance so that hydraulic" balancinginthefirst instance would be 'er-* .tected withatraction' only: of the 2 lbs. per square'ii ich differential pressure subsequently the increased normal velocity Then.

isset up, a larger fraction of the then exist mg higher differential pressure can be used so that a. larger-proportion ot' the closing force can be hydraulically balanced, thus leaving'less-to' be? carried by the counter- 180 to one another andincluding plungers I 1L1 torniedavith balancing pistons '11, 11

subject to'the action of \va'ter'under pressure ii chainbers 12, 12and v13, 13.

-Pipes 14, la?" connected-to corresponding points in the throats S, 8' lead 72 to the chambers 12, 152%. Similarly, pipes 15, lfi conn'ected to. corresponding points in tlie' nain-T, 17 lead'by Way ofa common flap valve TS 'a'nd branched pipe 74 to the chain b'ei's'l3, 13; The flapvalves 71 and 73, re-

spectively, normally ensure that the upstream "or higher pressure main 1'7 w ll be connected respectively to the chamber :12

and-the throat 8? Witl'1: the chainiier Fittediii the i'ront orclosing endot each plunger. 1 or'1* is a uon'return ball valve 75 or 75* which permits communication between the back of the other plunger 1 or 1 and the main 7 or'7'.

'Tlie valves function manner similar to that described with ence to Figs. 1 and 2. i V

The plunger 1, piston '11 and counter- Weights 16, respectively, may be proportioned diil'erently from the plunger 1,- piston l1 and counteriveights16 Therelaindependently, and in re'lertive proportions-may be such, Poi-instance,-

that one valve closes on excess velocity in the normal direction of flow andthe other. valve closes on reversal of direction ot flow;

"What 1" claim is: V

1. An automatic. self-closingvalve, COMP prising, in combination wvith a 11121111 con-7 ductingcliannel ji Oi flllltl having a zone of less crossesectional area than that vofthe relinaiiider 0t thechaniiel, there being unequal fluid pressures-in the main channel and in said zone, a valve-forming plunger movable clianneland said "zone, a receiver interposed in said clianneli'in the vicinity o'tsaid-zone,

said plunger having its closing movement in theJdii-ection towards said zone, said plunger exposed at its opposite ends to the saidunequal pressures, an annularbody surrounding said'plunger, and spaced from the internal wall of said'channel, abalancing "piston movable with said plunger, one side of said piston be ng sub ect to'one of Said unequal pressures anditl otherside of said piston being subjectftoa pressure 'ivliicl is,

ltPl'QtlCliGFlIll118tl function of thefdil'lerenti l pressure between the main channel andsa d zone, and nc-ans serving normally to ho said plunger stable in open position;;b utj adapted to be overcomeon a VitllutlOll of said differential pressure occasioned by a givenwchange of flow conditions-to -permit automatic closing lnOVelllBDtQl said'plunger.

v by \vay of a coininon flap valve 71 and abran'ched pipe I2. An automatic self-closingfvalve, comprising, ingconibination IWltlI aniain conducting channelfor fluid having a zone of restricted, cross-sectional area, 'tlieregbeing unequal pressures Qin :said zone and :in the main channel of unrestricted cross-sectional area, a valve-for'ning plungerinovablei in said 1 channel 111 the: vicinity of said zone,

.said plunger having its closing movement in portionvof said'in'ain channel and said zone,

a-recciveninterposed in ,said by-pass, inlet and outlet nozzles fitted to said receiver, a 'coi'inectioii ironi said receiver to the other side 01: said piston, and means serving normally to hold said plunger stable in open position but adaptedto be overcome on a variation of the differential pressure between the niaiirchannel and said zoneoccae SlODCl by a given chan e 01'" flow conditions to permit automatic closing movement of said plunger. c

3. An automatic self-closing valve, comprising, in combination with a main conducting channel for fluid having a zone of restricted cross-sectional area, there being unequal'pressures in said zoneand in the main cl ninnel of unrestricted cross-sectional area,

a valve-forming plunger movable in said channel in the vicinity .of said zone, said plunge having its closing movementin the direction towards said "zone, said plunger exposed at its opposite ends to said unequal pressures, an annular body surroundingsaid plunger and spaced from the interior wall of said channel, afbalancing piston movable with said plunger, connections "for passage offluid to either side of said piston, aibypass between the unrestrictedportion of said ofthepressures acting on said plunger and said piston occasionedby a given change of flow conditions to permit automatic closing. 'IYIOVQIX'IQHtOf said'plungera 7 4. An automatic self-closingvalve, C0111? ducting 1 channel for fluid having a zone of restricted cross-sectional area, there being, unequal pressures insaid zone and in the main channel of unrestricted cross-sectionah area, a valve-formingplunger vmovable in. said channel in the vicinity of said zone, said plungerhaving .its closing movement prisingyin combination 1Viiill-il' main eon-1,

in the direction towards said zone, saic plungerbeing exposed at its'oppositc ends to said unequal pressures, an annular body surrounding said plunger and spaced from the interior wall of said channel, a balancing piston movable with saidplunger, said piston subject on its opposite sides to unequal fluid pressures, and means serving normally to hold said plunger stable in open position but adapted to be overcome on a Variation of the differential pressure between said main channel and said Zoueoccasioned by a given chanje oi fiow conditions to permit automatic closing inoveiuent at said plunger.

Sven automatic self-closing; valve. co1nprising, in combination with a main conducting channel for 'i'luid having a zone of restricted cross-sectional area there being unequal fluid pressures in said zone and in the main channel of unre tricted cross-sectional area, a valve't'orn plunger movable endwise o'l said channel in the vicinity of said zone, said plunger having its closing movement in the direction towil fdssaid zone, the face of said plunger nearer tosaid zone being subject to the fluid pressurein said zone and 'the opposite. face of, said plunger being subject to thefluid pressure at point of the main channel. an annular body surrounding said plunger within said channel leaving a passage between said body and the interior wall ofsaid channel,- a balancing piston niovable with said plunger within said body, said piston being subject on its opposite sides to unequalfluid pressures. and means serving, normally to hold said plunger in open position butadapted to be overcome on a Variati on of the differential pressure between afpoint of the main channel and said Zone occasioned by a given change of flow'conditions to permit; auto: matic closing movement of said plunger.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification.

OWEN ALFRED Peron 

